The Portland daily press., 1887-11-05

ing attire had already won ner admiration
Though the sweet face above it had not beer
noticed before. Evidently, too, she was Of
social Importance, for her companion,
seemed to be impressed by her words, and
the greatest offender had the grace to look
ashamed of herself. while the others broke
into chorus; you're right, Jessiel" and
under cover Of these EXPLANATIONS they float.
ed off, and Sara was at liberty to go back to
| her corner and wait for the next arrivals
| They weren't long in coming, and again il
happened to be group of acquaintance,
full of chatter and laughter. Their words
! passed unheeded until the sound of certain
well-known name drew Sara's atttntion.
"Yes, said one lady, 81 saw them as |
came upstairs-Jessie and Mr.. Warren"
"Oh! heard he was to be here with his
.fancee."
And third speaker chimed in with :
"Well, you'll see the loveliest girl in the
room-a perfect blonde-with the sweetest
expression, and so amiable, hear"
There was more gossip. and other names
were mentioned, but the girl In the corner
gave no heed to it. So her employer was
9NSoe AZ thio hOuoC, anu tlC CUdIDllUS girl
who had just tried to befriend herself was
his fancee Well, she was lovely and amia-
BILE. no doubt; and If she seemed rather
young for the grave and dignified chief, why,
men liked those bright young girls, who had
not care in life except to make the most of
their prettiness. And, anyway, it was no
concern of hers.
The hour was groging late now, there were
no fresh arrivals, and Miss Ogden was lust
about seeking her wraps, to 90 home. when
the same pretty girl, with two or three 9TH
ers, entered the room to brighten up their
piumage before taking flight to some other
reception; and, rather than draw attention
to herself, Sara drew back into her corner
and watched with some amusement the fiut-
tering and prinking in front of the long mir
ror, untila suddenly remembered bit of Cos
sip drew all the pretty heads into bunch.
and distracted their attention momentariIy
from their own attractions.
The one called Jessie, with her back t, the
mirror, faced the others, the train of her
lace-trimmed robe sweeping cut behind her
close up to the glass, when suddenly-no one
knew how it happened was scream
from one of her gay companions. quick
drawing away from her, and she was left
alone, stony figure, with pale. set face.
whose horror-stricken eyes glared over her
shoulder at the little creeping flames gliding
up among her laces, starting from the wax
candle which lad toppled ever from the
mirror bracket. Before the terrified girl
could find her voice, Sara had sprung forward
and epyQ1 FIN linz
wrapped tightly about the burning lace, and
then Jessie was conscious of resolute voice
bidding her: Quick, now! Lie down fiat
on the floor! Don't struggle, child?" and
the next moment she was nearly buried be-
meath heavy Turkish rug. A few moments
later, and the danger was all oyer; her cost
ly laces were crumbling rags, and the rich
satin was scorched and blackened; a Worth
masterpiece was utterly ruined, but the deli
cate white body it inclosed had not felt even
a breath Of flame. The kindly, careless
words uttered an hour before had borne
precious fruit for her; but before she could
recover from her fright enough to speak her
thanks, Sara had quietly got herself out of
the excited group and was speeding home to
her boarding place, But she had not been
quick enough to avoid Mr.. Warren's en-
trance or to escape his agitated words:
Jessie, my darling are you hurt?" and all
night her dreams were haunted by tall.
manly figure, with beautiful golden-haired
girl in his arms.
Next morning, just as she had summoned
up energy enough to think of getting off to
the ONCE, she was told that someone wished
to see her in the parlor; and, going down, she
was confronted by Mr.. Warren, who caught
both her hands in an earnest clasp. as he
said:.
Miss Ogden. chow can l ever thank YOU
Tor last nights work? And why did Won
run away before we could speak to Won?
Jessie would have come with me this morn
ing, but she is not fit to be out She sent
you this note and some roses" pointing to a
basket on the table, "And my mother begs
that you will let me bring you back to lunch.
She is longing to make your acquaintance,
but she cannot leave Jessie. Will you
Gomez"
"But-you overwhelm me. l don't want
to go and be thanked. Anyone else would
have done as much as | did,"
Did anyone else do as much? No. You
be ungracious, and refuse our ac-
But for you she might be
lying dead now-my dear little sisterl"
Your sister, Mr.. Warren? Why, thought
you
A confused pause here.
Certainly, my sister. At least, | always
called her so, though her mother was my
fathers second wife. Why, who did YOU
suppose she was, Sara?"
"Oh, heard some gossip about your being
present with your fdncce, and SOL
You jumped to a conclusion. have no
foncee; but lately have begun to hope
that may find one some day-that is, since
have been learning what sweet, brave
spirit looks out from these clear eyes. But
now that you've turned out real heroine |
L am afraid I'm too commonplace and unin-
teresting mortal to mate with you. What
do you think, dear? Could you ever care
for me?"
Miss Ogden evidently felt very little doubt
on that subject, and must have signified as
much, for that very afternoon she was being
petted and made much of by her lovers |
fatally. The next time she stood in the |
dressing room of Mrs. Rossiters elegant |
mansion, the once Insignificant news-gather-
sr and reporter Of fashionable toilets was |
quite unacceptable under the bridal satin |
and pearls of Mrs. Warren. And someone |
slse chronlcled her costume for the readers |
If the Record